23-27 March 2026, Luang Prabang, Lao People’s Democratic Republic – The Southeast Asia Climate and Clean Air Initiative (SEACAI), implemented by GIZ, in partnership with the Thailand Environmental Institute (TEI), co-hosted a regional workshop to strengthen national capacity on sustainable agriculture, clean air and responsible agricultural trade under the ASEAN CLEAR Sky Strategy 2024-2030. The workshop convened government officials, agricultural experts and sustainability leaders from Thailand and Lao PDR to share experiences, build technical knowledge on Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) zero-burning approaches and establish cross-border collaboration mechanisms.
The workshop was led by Phakkavanh Phissamay, Director-General of the Department of Environment (DOE), Lao PDR and Dr Surin Worakijthamrong, Director-General of the Pollution Control Department (PCD), Thailand. The session was also joined by Lao PDR’s Department of Environment, Department of Planning and Cooperation (DPC), Department of Agriculture (DOA), National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI), and provincial offices (Bokeo, Sayabouly, Oudomxay, Xiengkhouang and Luang Prabang).
Opening sessions presented Thailand’s PM2.5 action plan and zero-burning agricultural standards, while the representatives from Lao PDR shared sustainable agricultural practice alternatives, and reproducing agricultural residue into consumer products. A bilateral policy dialogue between Lao PDR Department of Environment and Thailand’s Pollution Control Department established cross-border cooperation mechanisms under the CLEAR Sky Strategy.
Afterwards, field visits demonstrated zero-burning practices across rice paddies, vegetable gardens and melon farms. The Green Model Schools and Green Environment Learning Room illustrated how integrated waste management – including vegetable composting and waste separation, reduces the need for open burning, whilst building generational understanding of the link between community waste practices and transboundary air pollution. Participants developed preliminary proposals for piloting zero-burning practices in selected zones in Lao PDR and designed a roadmap for eco-label certification of zero-burning agricultural products to increase market value.
The workshop strengthened technical understanding of zero-burning practices and established cross-border cooperation between Lao PDR and Thailand. Lao PDR will lead pilot implementation zone design, whilst Thailand provides technical mentorship on traceability systems and eco-label certification. Both countries have committed to regular coordination meetings to scale successful models across the region.
More Information about SEACAI: Southeast Asia Climate & Clean Air Initiative (SEACAI) – Thai-German Cooperation
